There is an alarming trend occurring in our great nation that deserves scrutiny and constant vigilance. The current Bush Administration has made no secret of its “shadow government” ever since 9/11. But shadow governments are not the trend; they have existed throughout the ages.

On May 8, the Iowa Department of Education’s Administrative Law Judge, Susan Anderson, presided over an appeal filed by Davenport parents to reverse the Davenport School Board’s (DSB) decision to close Grant and Johnson elementary schools.

Davenport Aldermen Barnhill and Moritz reluctantly voted against a proposed mixed housing development along North Pine Street, between Valley and 58th streets, during last Wednesday’s regular council meeting. The vote appeared inevitable, especially after Mayor Brooke expressed his assurance that the development would fail with such a high protest rate (never mind the inappropriateness of the development for the neighborhood, or the water retention problem that duplex construction could potentially create).

On Tuesday, June 4, the Iowa primaries will bAe held across the state. Important elections are at stake, yet only registered voters are eligible to vote in a primary, and they must declare either Republican or Democrat before they can participate because Iowa has a “closed primary” system.

Alderman Howard is too inexperienced for the position of mayor pro tem. During April 17’s regular council meeting, Alderman Howard confirmed the public’s worst fears about Mayor Brooke’s inappropriateness in appointing someone so green.